Rail-joint lock



. w, PAUL. RAIL JQINT LOCK. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3!, l9]?- ,306,Patented June 10, 1919.

2 SHEETS--SHEET W. PAUL.

RML JOINT'LGCK.

APPLlCATlOM man OCT. 31, 1912.

\ lfififlfi Patented him 10, 1919.

*\ 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WILLIAM PAUL, OF SAMSON, ALABAMA.

RAIL-J OIN '1 LOCK.

Application filed October 31, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, W ILLLAM PAUL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Samson, in the county of Geneva and State of Alabama, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-Joint Locks; and .Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable other skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to rail joints, and

more particularly to that class of rail joints wherein the use of nuts,bolts and fish-plates is entirely dispensed with and the primary objectof the invention is to provide a novel ends of the rail sectionstogether and saidmeans providing attaching members for fastening therail to the tie.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a rail jointof the above character, which is durable and efficient in use, one thatis simple in construction, and one that can be manufactured and placedupon the market at a reasonble price.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will behereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, forming a part thereof in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one end of one of the rail sectionsshowing the looking tongue formed thereon.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one end of the adjacent rail section.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the improved rail joint showing theadjacent ends of a pair of rail sections locked together.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the improved rail joint showingthe fastening plate in position.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 10, 1919.

Serial No. 199,515.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 55 of Fig, 4.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig.7 is a detail perspective view of one of the locking plates forholding the rail sections together, and showing the flanges bent down,and

, Fig. .8 is a perspective view of the locking plate showing the flangespositioned vertically before being bent downward into engagement withthe rail.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference-numeralsdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral1 indicates the adjacent ends of a pair of rail sections, which are ofthe ordinary type. Each of the rail sec tions includes the head or ball2, the base 3 and a connecting web l. Each of the rail sections hasintegrally formed therewith a forwardly extending tongue 5 which engagesthe head 2 and the base 3 of the adjoining rail section and formsadditional support for the head at the joints. The tongues 5 have thelower surfaces cut away as at 6'to provide means whereby the same canreadily fit over the base 3 of the rails.

By cutting away the under surfaces of the tongues 5 a shoulder 7 isprovided, which forms means whereby the bases 3 of the rail sections 1can engage each other and limit the inward movement thereof. The innerfaces of the tongues 5 are formed straight as at 8 so as to engage thevertical Web 4 of the rail and the upper and lower edges arepreferablyinclined inwardly in opposite directions as at 9 to conform to thecontour of the head 2 and the base 3 of the rail. A rectangular shapedlug 10 is formed on the inner face of each tongue 5 intermediate theends thereof and the same is adapted to fit in a longitudinallyextending slot formed in the web of each rail adjacent to the rear endof each tongue where the same is formed on the web. The slots 11 areformed a trifle longer than the lugs 10, so as to allow for a slightlongitudinal movement of the rail sections 1 in relation to each otherand thus allow for the expansion and contraction of the rails. Each ofthe tongues 5 is provided with a longitudinally extending groove 12adjacent the lower edge of the same which extends the whole length ofthe tongue for a purpose which will hereinafter more fully appear.

A plurality of tieplates 13areiprovided for holding the adjacent ends ofthe rail sections 1 in locked positionafter the same have been placedtogether "and eachplate comprises a substantially rectangular base plate14 having a pair of spaced upstanding flanges 15 formed thereon. Theflanges 15 arespac'ed from'the'sideedges of the base plate 14. I

The tie plates 14 are laid upon the ties (not shown) andsuitables-pikes- (not shown) are driven through the apertures 16 formedin theiplateintermediatethe side edges and the flanges for holding theplates in position and-the adjacent-ends of-therails are placedtogether-With the lugs-10 in the slots 11and,+thenthejoint is placed onthe tie plates between the upstanding flanges 15. A suitable instrumentis then used, for bending and-forcing the-upperedges of the flanges 15'in'wardly' and into the grooves 12 in the tongues 5, as at 17which-prevent the accidental displacement of the rail sections.

In the foregoing description it can be seen an improved railjo-int isprovided of simple construction, that absolutely-prevents thedisplacement of the rail sections and also provides means for fasteningthe rails to the tie. I

In practice, I have found that the form of my invention, illustrated inthe accompanying drawings and referred to in the above description, asthe preferred embodiment, is the most efiicient and-practical; yetrealizing the conditions concurrent with-the adoption of-my-device willnecessarily vary, I desire to emphasize the fact that various Copies ofthis patent may be obtainedfor five cents meaty-addressing the.Commissionersof Patents,i

' any set forth.

minor changes in detail of construction,-pro-' portion and arrangementof parts may be resorted to, when required, without sacrificing of the"advantages of my invention as VVhat'I claim as new is: r 1. Incombination, a rail joint including the abutting ends of a pair ofrails,'saidrai-ls being provided with slots, a tongue projectinglongitudinally of each rail and fitting against the side of the otherrail, a hug carrie'cl by reach tongue and interlockingwith the slot ofthe rail, said'tongues beingprovided with longitudinallyextending-grooves,

andwaa plurality of spaced plates: havingup wardly extending flangesformed thereon, said flanges being adapted to engage in said grooves, asand. for the purpose specified.

I 2. In combination, a. rail Vjo-int including the abutting ends ofapair 0t rails,- saidrails being provided with slots, a tongue pr0jectinglongitudinally of each rail and fitting against the side oi theother'rail a lug car-; ried byeach tongue, said lugs interlocking withthe slots ofzthe rails,.-said \to-nguesbemg provided wltlrlongitudinally 'GXEQHClJHQ grooves, and a plurahty'ofspaced :plateshaving upwardly extending bendable flanges formed thereon, said flangesbeing adapted to engage in the grooves and the rail flanges, as and. forthe purpose s )ecified.

In testimony whereof aflixmy signature in presence of two witnesses. V

v-WILLIAMPAUL.

=Witnesses: v

T; FAULK, J. P. FAULK.

Washington, 13. 0.

